2016 in Review

Welcome to 2017! As many do at the end of the year we reflect on the past year and think about what the new year has in store. Last year at this time I was so ready for 2015 to be over and hoped 2016 would be better--check out my "Sunshine on a Cloudy Day" post.

Unlike the average person's new year resolution to lose weight, I wanted to gain weight while being pregnant. Sure enough, I got my wish in February! And so began our 9 month journey.

After we found out I was pregnant we knew we needed reliable cars to get us to appointments and to the hospital when the day came. Both of our cars were old--11 years and 18 years. Within 6 months we replaced both of our cars with 1 and 2 year old cars. My husband was much more comfortable knowing his pregnant wife wasn't going to be stranded on the side of the road. The 18 year old car was actually my first car my parents bought me in high school. That car and I had been through a lot and it was really sad to get rid of it. We loved the car so much we bought a newer version of it.

My parents currently live in Africa so weren't going to be around for most of the pregnancy. We were able to time the gender reveal while my parents were visiting. They came to the appointment with us and all 4 of us learned we were having a girl together. I'm the oldest daughter and still a HUGE Daddy's girl so to share this with my dad was very special. I have only ever witnessed my dad cry, or tear up, 3 times in my life: once at church after my brother died, once at my wedding when I first came down the stairs in my dress, and again at the ultrasound. This was such a special moment to have shared with them.

We were also able to time the baby shower when they were in town again so they could be apart of it. Another very special moment to have shared with them. After they left I cried because I realized the next time I would see them I would be a mother.

I also had the privilege of coaching the first ever girls varsity sports team at my school. We are a newer school, our volleyball program is only 3 years old. This was also our first year in a conference. Lots of firsts this year for our sports program. My Varsity Girls Volleyball team was the youngest in our conference and we were conference cochampions. What a season!

Early November we welcomed the newest member of our family. She was/is absolutely perfect. Keep an eye out for a post later all about our sweet angel.

We celebrated our first Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years as a family.

My mother made her a stocking to match ours and 4 stockings are perfect on our mantle.

For her one month birthday we also enjoyed her first beach trip

It was so cold and windy she snuggled up against my chest and fell asleep.

With 2016 being so amazing, what could I possibly want out of 2017!? I would like to lose the baby weight, of course. Thankfully I only gained belly weight and lost most of it giving birth. I would also like to work on bettering myself: better wife, better mother, better teacher, better coach, better person. Not that I think I'm a bad person, but I believe that there is always room for improvement.

How was 2016 for you? Did you do anything special? Do you have any big plans for 2017?Save